Ten Powerful Quotes by Maya Angelou

“I speak to the Black experience, but I am always talking about the human condition.

“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.”

“A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”

“Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.”

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”

“It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.”